Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities - Fosamax Product Liability Litigation - Narrative (Details) - Fosamax $ in Millions	1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 legalmatter	Jul. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 legalmatter	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) legalmatter	Dec. 31, 2017 legalmatter	Jul. 31, 2015 legalmatter	Nov. 30, 2013 legalmatter
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims number					4,085
New Jersey
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims number					2,750
Initial number of cases selected for review					30
Subsequent number of cases selected for review			50			25	50
California State Court
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims number					280
Initial number of cases selected for review			10
Femur Fracture Litigation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims number					4,070
Femur Fracture Litigation \| Other State Court
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims number					5
ONJ Litigation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims number					15
Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party \| $		$ 27.3		$ 27.7
Number of plaintiffs				1,200
Percentage of participation in litigation settlement (as percent)		95.00%
Federal
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims number					530
Loss contingency, claims dismissed number	510		650		510
Loss contingency, claims on appeal, number					515